Most Jaw-dropping Planer Reviews 2018
What would you do if wood you’re working on is not uniform in size all throughout? A 2-inch X 2-inch wood should stay within those measurements from start to finish right? Now, if you’re wanting to achieve that kind of thickness yourself, in your own capacity, a planer should get you going.
As most planer reviews will tell you, when you want all that smoothness in your boards getting a wood planer is spot on. No, you simply can’t lose with it. Assuming you’re using it right of course.
You see, if you’re not careful, you could destroy the teeth of your planer in no time. Purists will tell you it’s never a good practice to plane old planks of wood. These material shouldn’t be cleaned up to look like new as they’re bound to give you problems.
An unseen nail attached to your board could go through your wood planer and destroy its strong teeth. Still, with the price of wood rising, cleaning old wood planks may be the way to go.
There’s a right way to use a planer, true. That’s assuming you want it to avoid all those common problems like tearout and getting ridges or snipes.
A planer could complete your wood working arsenal. Now, you can mill your own wood. And wouldn’t have to buy those wood stocked in lumber yards or hardware store. You’re your own man. Ain’t that neat?
It’s simply logical.
However, if you’ve been wanting to get a wood planer but don’t know how, there’s certainly no need for you to fret. We’ve worked the field and scoured the best stores to give you the most dependable wood planers in town.
As thickness planer reviews will tell you, it’s all about producing quality output. In line with this, we’re also showing you how each of these product offerings listed here stacked against one another. So you could arrive at a most sensible decision. In a jiffy. Read on.
Dewalt DW680K Planer
You will really see how powerful a planer is when you see how short it works a piece of wood to make it as smooth as possible. It’s really amazing when you find such a product. This time around your search may have ended with this DeWalt. Indeed it’s a rare find. At the price it’s at, it’s a must-have.
Can you imagine how hard it must be to cut wood. This planer however with its 7-A motor is capable of giving you maximum cut of 2.5 millimeters in just one pass. That’s a really short time to get work done. It can even reshape steel blades so they get straight edges. Add its unsurpassed accuracy, and this one is hard to resist. More so with the price.
Hitachi P20SBK Planer
Well, if you want them planers to be cheap this one’s a top candidate. But this one packs a strong punch really. So you shouldn’t worry about losing precious dollars to nothing.
Right from the onset know that you have a 3.4-A motor here. That along with the exclusive gauge for blade setting should get you all the precision you need in cutting those lumber into usable wood. Heck, you even can have a V-groove so you can get those bevel cuts going. Add the nifty carrying case and you have one tough product not to take home.
Makita 1002BA planer
Ah, power tool from well-known brand Makita is expected to be as sturdy and powerful. Indeed this one should be a treasure find. However, if you’re looking for something cheap, look elsewhere as this one carry a rather hefty price tag.
But you shouldn’t worry when you bring this home, you’re pretty much covered. Right off the bat know you have a 9.6-A motor here that churns raw power to give you as much as 15,000 RPM. Imagine all that under your disposal. You got here a precision-filled machine. Which should get those logs as big as 12-inch plus some fraction of an inch radius ready for processing.
Best of all, you get good controls with the device’s two-handed design. So your hands can rein it all in.
Makita KP0800K Planer
Here’s another Makita that gives you all the planning power you need minus the hefty price tag. Yes, this machine may well be the only planer you need to get those logs all ready for use as well-cut wood.
Yes, no kidding the 6.5-A motor should give you all the power you need delivering as much as 17,000 RPMS. Even better, you get to set up the blade rather easily without delay. Giving you a single pass planning for wood up to 3.25-inch deep and 3/32“ deep.
Well, you really won’t be at fault when you choose this one. At the price it’s at, it’s a no-brainer.
Bosch PL2632K Planer
Here is Bosch’s take on the planer. And it should get your attention. Price-wise this is definitely viable. Really not expensive. Yes, at 6.5-A motor you’re getting as much as 16,500 RPM under your disposal. Such power will give you one smooth finish both for your hardwood and soft ones. Telling you this one is a prized catch.
To get all the accuracy you need, you have aluminum both for your rear and your front shoes of the machine. And you can even expand the blades to be replaced with large steel blades for greater speed. Truly amazing!
Let's Compare the Most Jaw-dropping Planer Reviews 2018
Detailed Comparison List
Product Name | Price | Product Dimension | Total Review | Product weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dewalt DW680K Planer | 15.8 x 11.4 x 9.8 inches | 6.2 pounds | ||
Hitachi P20SBK Planer | 10 x 10 x 16 inches | 6.1 pounds | ||
Makita 1002BA planer | 16.5 x 8.9 x 8.9 inches | 33 pounds | ||
Makita KP0800K Planer | 11.2 x 6 x 6.2 inches | 9.74 pounds | ||
Bosch PL2632K Planer | 17.8 x 14.5 x 7.2 inches | 14.53 pounds | ||
Delta Power Tools 22-553 Planer | 25 x 17 x 21 inches | 58 pounds | ||
Dewalt DW735 Planer | 24 x 22 x 18.8 inches | 90 pounds | ||
Wen 6550 Benchtop Planer | 23.5 x 24 x 19 inches | 79 pounds | ||
Makita 2012NB Planer | 28 x 19 x 15.8 inches | 61.95 pounds | ||
Wen 6502 Sander | 22 x 11 x 12.5 inches | 39.07 pounds | ||
Dewalt DW680K planer | 15.8 x 11.4 x 9.8 inches | 6.2 pounds | ||
Makita KP0810 Planer | 11.4 x 6.6 x 6.9 inches | 10.66 pounds | ||
Porter-Cable PC60THP Hand Planer | 14.6 x 7.8 x 8.2 inches | 8.75 pounds | ||
Grizzly G0505 Planer | 24 x 14 x 18 inches | 78 pounds | ||
Jet 708524 JPM-13CS | 41 x 25 x 24 inches | 258 pounds | ||
Rikon 25-010 Planer/jointer | 16 x 11 x 37 inches | 160 pounds | ||
Powertec PL1251 Planer | 24 x 18 x 14 inches | 63.6 pounds | ||
Dewalt DW734 Planer | 24 x 17 x 21 inches | 80 pounds | ||
Shop Fox W1754S planer | 47.7 x 42.7 x 29.1 inches | 875 pounds | ||
Jet JJP-8BT Jointer/Planer | 71 x 26 x 13 inches | 256 pounds |
Dewalt DW680K Planer
Short review
First planer on our list is one of the best amongst its kind. This Dewalt product is highly durable. It’s able to withstand so much stress and compression. This way it lasts for a very long time.
With this you wouldn’t have to replace it any time soon.
Using this unit is also very easy. You wouldn’t have a problem handling this unit. This way you would be able to do your work with ease.
Customers have complained about not being able to make fine tune adjustments with this unit.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Hitachi P20SBK Planer
Short review
With a powerful motor it is known to be one of the best planers out there. It is able to carry out heavy duty jobs with this powerful motor. And with this you would be able to have a good output.
Also with its exclusive blade setting you would be able to make precise cuts. And with this you won’t have a problem getting by your daily projects.
Adjusting the blade as well is very easy. You wouldn’t have to stress yourself to adjust the blade. And with this you would not waste so much time on setting up your planer.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Makita 1002BA planer
Short review
This guy right here has a powerful motor that allows it to operate at a very fast rate. It moves with an amazing speed of 15,000 rpm. With this you can be sure you wouldn’t waste any time while doing your job.
With its lock-on button you would have a continuous operation. You wouldn’t have to stop at some point when you’re working. This way you are assured of a smooth operation while working.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Makita KP0800K Planer
Short review
Weighing just a measly 5.7 pounds you wouldn’t have a problem handling this unit. With its lightweight it makes it a lot easier for you to hold on to this for a long time while working.
Even with its small size and lightweight this planer works like a beast. With a 6.5 amp motor it does a whole lot of work. And allows for other parts to also function effectively.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Bosch PL2632K Planer
Short review
This next product right here is a powerhouse. As small as it looks it does a great job at trimming. Which is why it’s on this is on every wood planer reviews.
Also, it has a lock-on button which gives you an extended operation. It makes your operation completely smooth. That way your work is a bit faster.
At the same time it has parts that allow for great accuracy. So while trimming you can be sure that you would get an accurate output.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Delta Power Tools 22-553 Planer
Short review
With its four column design this planer is very stable. So while using it you wouldn’t have a problem handling it. And at the same time it makes the result more accurate.
It also has a reversible dust port that allows for you to collect dirt while working. So once you’re done you would have little cleaning to do. That way it’s a bit less stressful for you.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Dewalt DW735 Planer
Short review
With its three knife cutter head you can be sure that the knife would last a lot longer. It delivers about 30% longer knife life. And also makes it easier to change the knife and also makes it faster.
Also it has a two speed gear box that allows you to easily change the feed speed. That way you get to optimize the cuts that you make.
And its motor is also very powerful. Causing it to move at a very fast speed.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Wen 6550 Benchtop Planer
Short review
With its granite table surface this guy right here provides a smooth operation. It allows the wood to move freely over its surface. Thus making your work a lot easier.
Also with its fan assisted dust port you can be sure of a clean environment while working. It helps remove saw dust from work piece while working. Thus you wouldn’t have to stress yourself once you’re done working on your project.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Makita 2012NB Planer
Short review
With its compact design you wouldn’t have a problem carrying this unit. It’s also lightweight so you can carry it easily from job site to another.
The good thing is that even though this unit is small it makes little or no noise. This way you wouldn’t be disturbed while having to do your work.
Changing its blade as well is faster and easier. You wouldn’t have to break a sweat before you can have the blades changed. That way it’s less stressful for you.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Wen 6502 Sander
Short review
With its sturdy cast iron base you can be sure of its vibration-free operation. This in a way makes the sander very stable while you’re using it. And this provides more accurate results.
Also, it has a dust port that is 2-1/4 inches. It helps collect all the wood chips while you work. Thus making it less messy while you’re working.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Dewalt DW680K planer
Short review
When it comes to durability this guy right here is one of the best wood planers out there. It is able to withstand do much stress and compression. And with that it lasts for a very long time.
At the same time using this unit is also very easy. With easy to access controls controlling this unit wouldn’t be a problem.
That’s why this unit is included on every wood planer reviews out there.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Makita KP0810 Planer
Short review
This planer right here is not only meant for woodworking. It can be used for framing also. That helps reduce the cost of getting two separate tools for these two actions.
It is also very easy to control this Makita model. With its easy to access on/off button there’s no problem handling it. You can hold it with either side of the handle you can hold this planer.
It’s definitely no mistake that this product is on every wood planer reviews in town.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Porter-Cable PC60THP Hand Planer
Short review
Mere looking at this planer you would know it’s not the regular planer you come across. It has a unique design. And is also made with high quality materials. Which is why it lasts for a very long time.
It’s not only beautiful but also very powerful. When you turn it on it becomes a beast. So don’t be deceived by its small size.
That’s one reason why it is on all wood planer reviews out there.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Grizzly G0505 Planer
Short review
Next on our list is another portable wood planer. It’s lightweight so carrying it isn’t a big deal. And this makes it suitable for you if you have projects on different work sites.
It is also able to complete cuts faster. All thanks to its sharp blade.
Well, these are many more are the reasons why you would always find this unit on every wood planer reviews.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Jet 708524 JPM-13CS
Short review
Offers a vibration-free operation. And that’s all thanks to its sturdy cast iron table. This way you would be able to do your work faster and easier.
Its motor is also enclosed in the base. With this it makes little or no noise. So you would be able to concentrate better while working.
It also has a stand. That way it’s a bit more stable while you’re working.
With all these reviewers can’t do without including it in all the wood planer reviews in town.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Rikon 25-010 Planer/jointer
Short review
This next planer on our list is a rare gem. And that’s because it is known to perform two different tasks. It can be used as a planer and also as a jointer. That way you would be able save a bit from not buying two separate tools.
At the same time this unit is less space consuming. So you wouldn’t need to create so much space for this unit to be in your workshop.
Many customers are raving about this product. That’s why it’s on every wood planer reviews in town.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Powertec PL1251 Planer
Short review
It has a four column design for greater stability. So while working the planer wouldn’t keep moving here and there. And that makes it easier for you to do your work.
Also, it has a spindle lock. With this lock it’s easier for you to change the blades. And it also makes it safe for you.
This unit sure deserves a spot in all the wood planer reviews in town.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Dewalt DW734 Planer
Short review
With disposable reversible knives it’s easier to change the knife. And at the same time it makes the knife last longer. It actually offers 30% more life to the knife.
This way you wouldn’t have to keep replacing the knife every now and then.
The motor as well is also very strong. It is able to handle larger and deeper cuts. That’s why this unit is suitable for hardwoods.
There’s no reason why this unit shouldn’t be included in any of the wood planer reviews. It sure deserves its spot.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Shop Fox W1754S planer
Short review
Its in-built mobile base makes this unit compact in size. Which is why it’s easy to transport this unit. Also its mobile base makes it quite easy to store this unit. Just a little amount of space is needed to keep this unit.
It also has extension wings that makes it easier for you to use. You would be able to cover a wider amount of work with this.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
Jet JJP-8BT Jointer/Planer
Short review
This is the last but not the least product on our list. But is certainly not the least. It also has a unique feature. It can act both as a jointer and as a planer. That means it’s a 2-in-1 machine.
And that helps save a lot of money.
It also has a powerful motor that helps move this planer at a very fast rate. And all thanks to this powerful motor you would be able to carry out heavy duty jobs.
This is indeed one of the best wood planers in town. That’s why it’s on every wood planer reviews. And that includes this review.
Things We Liked
Things We Didn't Like
ADVANTAGES
Top Features To Look Out For When Buying A Planer
In life we are faced with the choice of making decisions. You could either do nothing or do something. Doing nothing is as dangerous as doing something. When you do nothing you don’t expect a result.
And when you do something you expect a result. But the fact is that the steps you take while making the decision would determine the outcome.
Back to the point, woodworkers are always left with the decision of choosing equipment. And making a wrong decision or choice can jeopardize your output.
That’s why as a woodworker you always have to bear in mind features to lookout for when getting a tool. Especially when getting a planer. But not to worry we are here to help you out.
We have come up with top features to look out for when you want to get your planer. Once you have this in mind you would be able to get a good planer. Let’s quickly dive into these features.
1. Gauges and stops
The first thing you have to look out for is the wood planer’s gauge and stops. Unknown to you the gauge is actually very important. It helps indicate just how much wood you would be scrapping off.
That way you have an idea of just how much you are removing. Actually this helps you reduce the amount of wood you would be cutting off. Because taking bites that are too large can lead to a deeper snipe.
There are also stops that obviously stops you when you want to make a mistake. Sometimes you would want to plane a wood that isn’t thick enough. And this might end up destroying the wood as a whole.
So once the intended thickness of the wood isn’t met then the stops stop the action.
2. Self-indexing knives
You would need a knife that’s self-indexing when using a planer. And this is because knives that aren’t self-indexing prove fussy and at the same time can waste your time.
Similarly, when you have an automatic cutterhead lock it also helps out a lot. It prevents the head from rotating while fixing the knife by removing the bolts. This way the equipment is more stable and doing your work is more comfortable.
Some portable planers now come with a cutterhead. And the advantage of that is that it makes it easier to make the cuts.
3. Power
Well, for a planer this is also very important. It’s just that it isn’t a critical factor. And that’s because most wood planers have shown to have just enough power to plane woods. That of course includes hard wood.
But you also have to check yourself when you want to get a planer. That’s because the power of a planer varies from brand to brand. Some have just about the power you need. While some have that super power.
So depending on the type of projects you would like to use it for you would have to get a planer that has the power you need.
4. Dust collection
The last but not the least feature you would have to consider is the dust collection system. Without doubt using a wood planer causes a lot of mess. It produces a lot of wood chips.
That’s why you would need a dust collection system or a vacuum.
Interestingly there are some wood planers that come with a dust port that helps gather dirt while you’re working. This way you would not have to worry about how to clean up once you’re done.
If on the other hand it doesn’t have you would have to create one yourself. Creating one isn’t something difficult. You would just need a dust port.
But to save yourself from all that stress ensure that the wood planer you are getting has a good dust collection system. That way it’s less stressful for you to use the wood planer.
7 Steps You Have To Bear In Mind to Remain Safe While Working with Wood
In life you are faced with a lot of danger and harm. And this starts from even using a small blade in your home. That’s why it’s important to always use sharp objects carefully. And this also applies to the lathe for wood.
Not to digress too much, using the lathe is very easy. And at the same time requires a lot of patience and care. You would be making a big mistake if you are care free with using your wood lathe.
To make things a lot easier we have come up with this section. Here you will learn 7 steps on how to remain safe while working with wood.
Let’s quickly dive into these steps.
1. Inspect before you start working
You would be making a very big mistake if you don’t inspect your machine before you start your work. That’s because a part might actually be malfunctioning. And if you don’t detect it before you start working it can destroy your work and can even injure.
So to avoid this you always have to make a quick check before you start working. No matter how much you’re in a hurry to have to do this.
If a part is not functioning well you can either replace it or fix it. This way you would get a better output.
2. Check screws and bolts
Just as important as checking the parts are, checking screws and bolts are equally important. If the part is functioning well but the bolt is loose then it can cause a damage. Not only to that part but also to you.
So to stay safe while working you have to do this every time you want to use your machine.
It’s quite simple, all you have to do is tighten the screws and bolts. And ensure that every other thing is in place.
3. Keep your work area clean
Working in an untidy place is not only unhygienic but also unethical. Yeah, that’s the truth and here’s the reason why. With an untidy place you get to constantly inhale dust while you work.
And that isn’t so good for your lungs.
At the same time if so many things are placed on the floor, you could trip while trying to pick something you would need. And this can lead to an injury. So to be more careful you have to make sure everywhere is tidy.
Not only would you feel comfortable to work there but you would also feel safe while working there.
4. Keep the device sharp
One other thing you would have to do to ensure safety is keeping the device sharp. That’s because while working you would have to keep the wood lathe so that you would be able to cut through easily. That way you wouldn’t waste so much time while working.
Also you wouldn’t need to exert so much force before you can get the desired result.
Also this reduces kickback action. If the device is very sharp it easily smoothens the wood without throwing back large pieces at you. This way you wouldn’t ne injured in any way.
5. Keep your working area lighted up
You might be asking “how can this even keep me safe?” Well, you might not know it but this also has a role to play in your safety. While working it’s important that you have enough light source.
And this is because you would need to see clearly while cutting. Well, if you’re lucky enough with a dim light you wouldn’t harm yourself. But with can’t say that for your wood work. It might get damaged.
So that none of this would happen you have to light up your workshop enough. So that you’re easily guided while you work on your next project.
6. Don’t wear loose clothing
As simple as this might sound it’s actually a big deal. Wearing loose clothing as a wood worker is one of the most dangerous acts you can do. And here’s the reason why. With loose clothing, it can easily come off.
This applies most to jewellery. If you’re wearing something that can easily get trapped in the machine then it’s dangerous. When it’s trapped in there you could get injured or even worse it could damage the machine completely.
So to avoid any of these from happening always wear fitted clothes and always avoid dangling jewellery.
Also while working if you have a long hair ensure it’s always packed up. This way it wouldn’t interfere with you while working.
And with these you can remain safe while you do your work.
7. Buy quality wood
This might actually sound unimportant but it’s actually very important. The quality of the wood would determine how well the machine can cut through. If the quality of the wood isn’t that good then the machine would have a hard time cutting through.
And this can cause the kickback action. Which can end up injuring you. And also destroy the machine.
So to remain safe and also to keep the machine safe it’s important the wood quality is good. This way you wouldn’t have to worry about how well the machine would be able to cut through.
CONCLUSION
When you want to have greater control over the quality of your wood, the best wood planers should be the order of the day. As most planer reviews are bound to tell you, it’s a must. Not only will you be able to mill quality wood that’s tough to beat, you would have saved tons of money doing the planning yourself.
As any certified wood worker is bound to tell you, irregular wood just won’t cut it. If you’re wanting to finish a floor job, wood that isn’t the same thickness all throughout will give you a lot of problems. It will stand out like a sore thumb.
And thanks to technology, what used to be a milling company’s job can now be possible within the confines of your work station. Yes, as thickness planer reviews will tell you, it’s just a matter of getting the right product. With that said, we strongly recommend the Dewalt DW680K Planer model. All the products on our list are certainly worth looking into. They’re the cream of the crop. Top of the best products available on the market today.
And yet this model stands a head higher than all of these products combined. Why? It’s all about quality performance over time.
When you talk about planers, it’s the wood output that speaks for themselves. Or put in another way, it’s the customers that determine how satisfactory their selected product truly is.
Of all products in the market today, it’s but the Dewalt DW680K Planer that has produced the most satisfaction from its customers. And all that positive response simply cannot be hidden. It must be put into consideration.
So you get the most bang for your buck.